Ohio State has a single glimmer of hope for the postseason, and that's to beat Penn State today. The Buckeyes hopes rest on a 4-1 conference record. But that will have to include beating the Nittany Lions. I think I have a better chance of being Ohio State's next lacrosse coach than the Buckeyes do of winning this afternoon. But stranger things have happened.
Penn State may be the most elite offensive team in the country. The team is scoring on 34.1% of their shots. Good teams are at 30%. This team is just outstanding. They have talent, depth, and scheme working in concert. Ohio State definitely does not.
TJ Malone (#7) leads the way for Penn State on offense. He has 38 points, does all the heavy lifting, and kills teams down low. Matt Traynor (#22) scores the goals, notching 22 this year to lead the team. The dynamic duo run Penn State's offense, with plenty of depth pieces pitching in. Ohio State is thoroughly outclassed here.
Defensively, Penn State nay actually be the best team, statistically, the Buckeyes have ever played in a regular season. Opponents score just 22.8% of shots, which is absolutely bonkers. To be that stout with limited personnel advantages is outstanding. Bear in mind Penn State played two top 10 teams before their last game against Marquette.
In goal, Penn State starts Jack Fracyon (#50), who is saving 57% of shots this season. Caleb Fyock is no slouch, and having a Freshman All American season, but Fyock is just building a wall in front of his net. Ohio State, a team that struggles to score, is going to have tremendous problems today.
At faceoff, Penn State does struggle. Rotating two guys equally, the Nittany Lions are still under 50% on the year. That said, Jack Oldman and Tommy Burke haven't lived up to their billing yet. Ohio State would need a dominant effort to have a prayer today.
Special teams are interesting. Penn State is putrid on Man Up, scoring under 30% of the time, but absolutely elite on Man Down, giving up goals less than 25% of the time. Probably a wash here between the two teams.
Holistically, today is a great day to watch the Round of 32. Unless you want to enjoy the "block party" Ohio State will put on outside the stadium. It's going to get ugly. Probably quickly. And Ohio State is going to be tough to watch in possession.
Final prediction: Penn State 17, Ohio State 8.
Go Bucks!
Game is at 2:30 EDT, on BTN.
